This marriage contract was made in one of the most important Jewish
communities of Italy, the Adriatic seaport of Ancona, which also
was a leading center of ketubbah illustrations. The main episode at
top center, depicts the prophet Elijah ascending to heaven, riding
in his fiery horse-drawn chariot, while his amazed disciple,
Elisha, watches below. This scene thus refers to the bridegroom’s
first name Elia. The other two biblical episodes appear in the
cartouches at the center of each of the side borders. At right, the
scene of the Triumph of Mordecai, refers to the second name of the
bridegroom, Mordecai. Depicted at left is the scene of David
holding the head of Goliath; it is to be understood as a reference
to the bride’s father, David Camerino.
